Anne Hope, in “The Life of St. Philip Neri” recounts the following conversation with Pope Gregory XIII and St. Philip Neri: “Pope Gregory XIII. having issued an order that confessors should wear their cottas in the confessional, Philip went to an audience of his Holiness with his habit unbuttoned; whereupon the Pope expressing his surprise at his coming to him in such a costume, Philip replied, ‘I cannot even bear my habit buttoned, and your Holiness will have me wear a cotta in addition.’ ‘No, no,’ answered the Pope, ‘the order is intended for others and not for you;’ and thus he gained a special exemption.”